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David L. Freed, PE Associate at GNCB Retires

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 21:52:19 GMT

After over 50 rewarding years of geotechnical engineering practice, the last 28 of which were with GNCB as an Associate, David Freed retired on December 31, 2023. In 1995, David established the geotechnical engineering practice that provided many of GNCB’s clients, as well as his core clients, an integrated engineering service in foundation design. David’s presence both enhanced the structural engineering staff with a greater understanding of geotechnical theory and practice as well as provided the firm’s clients with a fortuitous combination of structural and geotechnical engineering services that lasted throughout the project. David’s experiences at GNCB provided the basis for his paper “Benefits of In-House Collaboration of Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Services” that appeared in the 2008 Geotechnical Special Publication No. 180 that honored his University of Florida professor, Dr. John Schmertmann. David’s geotechnical work crossed a wide range of projects and foundation types; he developed an expertise in resolving construction problems. He will be greatly missed at the firm, but please join us in wishing David all the best in his retirement.

GNCB Newsletter Fall 2023

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 19:20:49 GMT

Our Fall 2023 Newsletter went out today. Are you subscribed? Click the link below to read.

https://mailchi.mp/f169d2f1ecb2/gncbnewsletterfall20

GNCB Traveling Engineers

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 17:52:45 GMT

Adventures with David Freed

David and Arlene finished up a three week vacation in Hilton Head SC, St. Simons Island and Savannah, GA. Our youngest son and grandson were able to join us for 4 of those days. Time spent biking around town and along the beach, pickleball, attending a play, watching alligators, trying out new restaurants, and otherwise having a relaxing few weeks. Of course, there were a few client interactions and correspondence with field staff during test boring programs. We were able to explore historic Savannah, Tybee Island, and its unique architecture.

GNCB Winter 2023 Newsletter

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 21:26:16 GMT

Old Saybrook, CT

Happy New Year to our Clients, Colleagues, Partners, and Families.

Our Winter 2023 Newsletter went out today. Are you subscribed? Click the link below to read.

https://mailchi.mp/24b7434dbe6e/kdm5buvl19-12212873?e=c50b2b4cfc

GNCB Summer 2022 Newsletter

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 14:40:47 GMT

Our Summer 2022 newsletter went out yesterday. Are you subscribed? Check it out below.

https://mailchi.mp/4fbd7b085e4d/kdm5buvl19-10563126

GNCB Traveling Engineers

Wed, 11 May 2022 20:27:50 GMT

A Trip with the Freeds to Paris and Normandy

TRIP TO FRANCE: A LIFETIME ADVENTURE WITH OUR TEENAGE GRANDSON

My wife, Arlene, and I fulfilled one of our desires: to experience a trip of a lifetime with our 14-year old grandson Ryan. Ryan actually pinpointed the destination; his recent studies of world history intrigued him to the point of wanting to see the historic World War II Normandy landing areas, and of course to see the many iconic sights of a large European city far from his home in Swampscott, MA. We got up our courage to explore France despite the COVID roadblocks that kept us trapped for the past 2 years. Our trip started with an overnight flight to Paris on April 14/15, 2022, and ended with the return trip on April 23 ^rd .

We were picked up by a driver, once clearing all the airport agencies, and drove northwest of Paris for our first few days in Normandy. What first got our attention were the many large open fields of neon yellow, which we discovered was the soon to be harvested canola crop. Our first stop was in Bayeau, to the small Hotel d’Argouges, which was just the right setting to get us in the mood for France. The next few days we spent visiting the historic Normandy World War II places: Omaha and Utah Beaches, American Cemetery, small town churches, the walled city of St. Malo, and Mont St. Michel (a World Heritage site since 1979). The private guide that we had for three days gave us much insight to the historic nature and happenings that occurred during WW II, from the mass troop landings to the 100 ft. cliffs scaled by paratroopers at Omaha Beach, the small churches with artful colorful stained glass windows that depicted the war and the old and new cemetery graves of the deceased. Mont St. Michel, near the border of Brittany and Normandy, was built in the 9 ^th century on a tidal island of granite outcrops, which were the only remnants that protruded from the bay following an enormous tidal wave in the 7 ^th century. Over the years, the abbey and church setting has served as the pilgrimage site for many religious happenings, and also as fortification strongholds during the years historic battles.

Our visit to Paris covered the many sights we are all aware of. The first day, we took a 6 mile walk that covered both banks of the Seine River from the Louvre, down the Champs de Elysée to Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and ending at our Hotel Le Littre near the large central Paris train station. The next four days we traveled far and wide: Musee D’Orsay, a Jewish tour in La Marais that started at Notre Dame (to check out its restoration scheduled to be completed for the 2024 Paris summer Olympics), a trip to the summit of Eiffel Tower (the Tower is being painted in preparation for the Olympics), the underground Catacombs, a train ride and all-day Fat Tire Bike ride through the Versailles Palace and sprawling grounds, and ending with the underground Sewer Tour and of course what visit to Paris would not be complete without a Chocolate and Pastry tour within the Old City! The sights were magnificent, particularly from the summit of the Eiffel Tower, and met our expectations in all respect. We, at least most of us, tried new eats, from crepes, to foie gras, to escargot.

We all agreed that at the trip end, we had experienced a lifetime adventure that we will remember for years to come.

Au revoir, David, Arlene, and Ryan Freed

Normandy Photos

Paris Photos

Design of Commercial Pools

Fri, 06 May 2022 20:09:40 GMT

GNCB has provided geotechnical and structural engineering services for many commercial pools for public and private owners during our over 50 years of practice. Our dedicated team of professional engineers works with architects and owners to advance the design of pools and to increase the lifespan of these unique structures. Fluctuations in water levels, possible unsuitable soils and water infiltration are all factors that must be considered.

Commercial pools typically consist of a reinforced concrete mat with cantilever concrete sidewalls that are keyed into the mat. A design factor that is sometimes overlooked is that many commercial pools are completely drained of water during the harsh winter months. Perimeter concrete walls are designed as retaining structures to accommodate this condition.

GNCB’s initial step in the design of commercial pools is to undertake a subsurface exploration program in order to understand subsurface conditions. While in many instances, the soils at mat bearing grade are suitable to directly support the mat, test boring data can reveal unsuitable soils that may require pile foundations and/or improvement of the unsuitable soils to make them acceptable to support a mat foundation. In addition, groundwater levels need to be documented so that a design for hydrostatic uplift can be anticipated. Regardless of the type of pool foundation, it is important to understand the type of soil directly below the pool, so that proper consideration can be given to design for frost susceptibility. For the case of a drained pool during periods of winter freezing, the presence of a frost susceptible soil, and possible groundwater near the bottom of pool, may result in foundation heave leading to cracking of the foundation.

Structural design of the pool requires conventional cantilever concrete sidewalls. Reinforcing in the wall and design of the concrete mix needs to be sufficient to prevent cracking and wall movement, for both cases of the pool being empty and filled. In addition, water stops at the interface between the wall and mat, and at cold joints within the wall are essential to prevent outside water infiltrating the pool or loss of pool water. The use of a rigid concrete wall enables the precise setting of a perimeter gutter assembly around the pool.

Engineers at GNCB can help in your pool design with an assurance that it will survive the many years of use. For comprehensive services that offer value and integrity from a team you can trust, GNCB Consulting Engineers, P.C. provides a unique blend of structural, geotechnical, and historic preservation needs.

Connecticut Waterfront Structures

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 15:20:17 GMT

GNCB Consulting Engineers, P.C. in Old Saybrook, CT has helped to reconstruct the faltering retaining walls that comprise the Connecticut waterfront. Our dedicated team of professional geotechnical and structural engineers have many years of experience in this rebuilding effort. With over 50 years of engineering experience, including historic preservation work, GNCB is able to solve the many problems that plague our waterfront.

Regardless of the rebuilding effort needed, the first step is to secure the necessary design and building permits from both the Connecticut Department of Environmental and Energy Protection (CTDEEP) and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE). For the most part a permit is needed prior to starting any construction and/or repair work; there is, however, an expedited procedure to complete emergency repairs ahead of securing a permit.

The initial part of the permit and design process involves a test boring program to determine subsurface conditions. These conditions likely consist of some surface man-placed fill and organic soils underlain by overburden sand and or glacial till. In some instances, the surface overburden soils may be directly underlain by bedrock. Borings may be drilled from land or from the water, the latter requires special barge equipment.

Retaining walls typically consist of steel sheet piling, reinforced concrete, or gravity stone walls. Selection of a suitable wall type often depends on the specific geometry of the wall/waterfront, the depth of free water on the outboard side of the wall, and the depth to suitable bearing soil. The reinforced concrete wall and stone walls have some overall height limitations, something in the range of 20 ft. or less. While steel sheet pile walls can serve higher depths, a system of tiebacks or anchor system is needed to keep the wall laterally stabilized. Steel sheet pile walls can be made very stiff with the integration with heavy steel H piles; this stiff pile permits greater wall heights without the need for lateral anchor support. Regardless of the wall type used, particularly for reinforced concrete and stone gravity walls, some degree of erosion protection is needed for those walls in a high hazard zone, per FEMA regulations and mapping.

Engineers at GNCB can help in your permitting and design to rebuilding a waterfront retaining wall on your property with an assurance that it will survive the harsh storm events that can endanger our area. For comprehensive services that offer value and integrity from a team you can trust, GNCB Consulting Engineers, P.C. provides a unique blend of structural, geotechnical, and historic preservation needs.

James Norden Retires

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 16:37:24 GMT

After 54 years of Structural Consulting Engineering, we are both happy and sad to announce the well-deserved retirement of James Norden on January 14, 2022. He has been an outstanding addition to GNCB for the past 46 years, forty of those years as a partner in the firm. Jim was instrumental in developing our Historic Preservation department in 1995 and has mentored our next generation of engineers in this field. His structural engineering career spans across the United States and serves a variety of sectors including cultural, institutional, religious, residential, and specialty structures. Jim's Historic Preservation experience includes projects involving over 50 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as a number of National Landmark sites.

GNCB Traveling Engineers

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 18:24:01 GMT

A Trip with the Freeds to Rome and the Amalfi Coast: Historic Structures, Sacred Places, and Coastal Life

Many members of the GNCB team enjoy traveling nationally and internationally. The cause of each member’s wanderlust varies from the joy of long motorcycle rides, to the desire to learn about different cultures, to the love of international food. However different our trips are, we all find joy in seeing historic landmarks and new construction in the places we visit. After almost a year of restricted travel, our team is joyfully reminiscing about past trips and joyfully looking forward to future adventures. We hope you enjoy this new series about GNCB’s Traveling Engineers.

_________________________________________________________________________________

In July of 2019, my wife Arlene and I took a diverse 8-day trip to Italy that ranged from the hustle and bustle of the capital city of Rome to the laid-back vacation resort towns on the Sorrento Peninsula/Amalfi Coast. One common denominator for both places was the constant high humidity and sunny skies with daily temperatures in the 90s. Our stay was calmed by the two bed-and-breakfasts where we stayed: Hotel Portoghesi in downtown Rome and Villa Giovanni located on the Sorento mountain hillside; the breakfasts at each location had the flavor of local Italian food and hospitality.

Roman sites that we visited, the majority of which were within walking distance from our hotel, included:

· Piazza Navona, a large square with shops, restaurants, street entertainers, museums, and a church where we attended a chamber music recital.

· The Pantheon, a 2000-year old temple that is now a church; its roof is the largest unreinforced concrete dome, that also has an oculus (oval shaped open roof) enabling a connection to the gods.

· Trevi Fountain, both day and night visits are a must.

· Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna, which provided the perfect spot to people-watch.

· Colosseum/Palatino/Roman Forum, where the center stage was under renovation to service in the future as a staging area for concerts, meetings, and events.

· Vatican City, including St. Peters Square, Sistine Chapel, and the awe-inspiring Bascilica.

· Jewish Ghetto that included a visit to the Great Synagogue, shops and restaurants to try the local delicacy of fried artichokes.

The summer crowds were massive, despite the weather; wait times can be daunting, but advance purchase of a “skip the line” entrance ticket is a must do. Some of the best times we enjoyed were strolling the back streets, eating in the off-the-main drag restaurants; the fresh food and wines were just delightful.

After three exhausting and tiring days in Rome, we took the combined 2.5 hr. train/vehicle trip to the northern town of Sorento on the Amalfi Coast. To explore, we made 3 day-trips to the area:

· Day 1-a short ferry ride to the rocky Island of Capri and a small boat ride into the Blue Grotto.

· Day 2-an all-day minibus trip on the extremely narrow, curvy, coastal drive to Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. All three towns included shops, restaurants, and beautiful coastline views.

· Day 3-a train ride to explore Pompeii, and its on-going restoration efforts. Pompeii is the most completely preserved city of classic antiquity and Italy’s first Greek settlement. The 4,200 ft. high Mount Vesuvius is an awesome spectacle to all; it’s eruption in 79 AD buried the city of Pompeii and it wasn’t until the 18th century that Pompeii ruins were unearthed.

A word about Villa Giovanni set high in the mountains, surrounded by gardens, lemon trees, and olive groves, and within walking distance to downtown Sorento. The villa, with its spectacular sunset views that overlooked the Bay of Naples, was a cozy and relaxing experience; the small yet adequate circular pool was both refreshing and a quiet place to read a book and enjoy the views. The hotel also ran a restaurant in downtown Sorrento; one night we had our dinner brought in so we could enjoy the sunset views while eating.

Arrivederci, David Freed

GNCB Newsletter Winter/Spring 2021 Edition

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 19:07:35 GMT

Old Saybrook, CT

Happy New Year to our Clients, Colleagues, Partners, and Families.

Our Winter/Spring 2021 Newsletter went out today. Are you subscribed?

Museum Monday

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 19:04:20 GMT

Various Locations

If you follow us on Instagram, you know that we spent the month of August highlighting some of our favorite Museum projects. Museums benefit society by fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of culture and heritage while also celebrating knowledge, history, and diversity. They are examples of humans operating at their highest capacity and we're proud to support them as structural, geotechnical, and preservation engineers.

Museum projects’ needs and scopes vary, but often include vibration control, reinforcing for high localized loads, moisture management, thermal isolation, and management of structure-borne noise. It is often important to achieve the desired scope while maintaining a structure’s character-defining features, especially in the case of historic structures.

The Museums featured below highlight only a fraction of the museums we have been fortunate to interact with. These projects are representative of past and present work, and the continued relationships we foster with Museums.

LancasterHistory.Org is a LEED® Silver building in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. GNCB provided structural engineering services for the 20,000 SF building which features an open-loop geothermal well system, rooftop PV panels, a well-insulated envelope, and sensitive landscaping to protect nearby bodies of water. The structure incorporates a variety of systems including a structural steel frame with precast hollow care plank and reinforced concrete masonry unit shear walls. The iconic sawtooth roof is constructed of engineered glulam beams.

GNCB has worked with the Barnum Museum since 2010 when the Museum was hit by an EF1 tornado. Subsequently, in 2011 and 2012, the Museum was impacted by Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy, respectively. The Museum is the only remaining museum dedicated to the life of P.T. Barnum, a fact made even more significant with the closure of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus in May 2017. The eclectic building was constructed in 1893 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The stabilization and renovation of the Museum is taking place in multiple phases due to funding availability. To date, work includes stabilization of the outward-bowing east wall and roof, and stabilization of the major dome.

Related Links: The Barnum Museum , Connecticut Main Street , Moss Preservation Works, Antinozzi Associates PC , Landmark Facilities Group

Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum at Quinnipiac University is dedicated to the Irish Famine during which as many as 1 million people perished and another 1 million people emigrated to escape poverty and starvation. GNCB provided structural engineering services for this building which houses the largest collection of Great Hunger-related art in the world.

Everybody who is anybody has read #TheVeryHungryCaterpillar . If you are a lover of Eric Carle’s work, we hope you and your family have had the opportunity to visit the Carle Museum in Amherst, MA. GNCB was the structural and geotechnical engineer for the 40,000 SF museum which houses illustrations, art galleries, and art studio, a theater, and two libraries.

GNCB Newsletter Summer/Fall 2020 Edition

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 20:10:34 GMT

Old Saybrook, CT

We aim to send our Summer/Fall Newsletter out around August. As you can see, this issue is a bit late. The delay is due to how difficult it is to assign words to 2020. We are grateful that business is good, but it doesn't seem right to focus on "Business as usual," when 2020 is anything but. We want to acknowledge that the world is a different place than it was when we last reached out in January. Our office is different - most of our team is still working from home; our job sites are different - there is something surreal about not seeing the faces of those we interact with; and our lives are different.

That is why we decided to focus this issue on Museums. With the current Health crisis, some are estimating that one-third of museums throughout the United States are facing closure. Museums celebrate knowledge, history, diversity, and culture. They are examples of humans operating at their highest capacity and we're proud to support them as structural, geotechnical, and preservation engineers.

If you follow us on Instagram, you'll notice that this is a continuation of our August #MuseumMonday Campaign. If you don't follow us, now is your chance. We'll be using Instagram as the first platform to announce our newest Service in the coming months. See you there!
Click on the picture below to read our Summer/Fall 2020 Newsletter.

GNCB Celebrates National Preservation Month: 17th Century Projects

Tue, 26 May 2020 15:08:36 GMT

GNCB is celebrating National Preservation Month by looking back at some of our previous projects and remembering a few of our favorite New England structures throughout the centuries. The projects highlighted are listed as National Landmarks or are Nationally Registered Historic Places. GNCB’s expertise includes investigation, documentation, evaluation, and report production and often leads to the preparation of biddable documents that allow preservation, restoration, and conservation work to be done by restoration contractors. GNCB takes pride in our ability to maintain the historic integrity of a Site while also carefully considering the economic and technical feasibility of each project in an effort to support all levels of treatment for varying project sizes. This post will celebrate structures constructed in the 17th century.

Henry Whitfield House (c. 1639) Guilford, CT

The Henry Whitfield House, a National Historic Landmark and originally home to Reverend Henry Whitfield, is the oldest house in Connecticut and the oldest stone house in New England. This two-story structure is constructed of thick exterior stone masonry bearing walls with heavy timber wood floor and roof framing. Unfortunately, a fire in the 1960s left only the masonry walls to remain. The structure was restored between 1902 and 1904 with steel beams and newer floor framing and was later further restored during a second restoration in the 1930s.

GNCB was commissioned by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to conduct a visual, non-invasive Structural Condition Assessment for the structure and produced a report detailing relevant structural observations and existing interior conditions, recommendations, and suggested structural reinforcing. This property is one of four state-owned historic museums.

Thomas Lee House (c. 1660) East Lyme, CT

The Thomas Lee House underwent significant restoration in 1914-1915 under the design and supervision by Norman M. Isham for the East Lyme Historical Society. Since then, additionally restoration efforts were made in the 1950s and 1970s. This house originally had a single room plan and end chimney and offered little for domestic living and growing families. In about 1690 and additional room was added to the original end chimney to create a two-room plan. As a result of a new road to the north, the original rear of the house was converted to the house front and a lean-to addition was added to the original front of the structure. With the addition of the lean-to structure, this house exemplifies three different stages of growth in domestic architecture.

GNCB prepared conducted an extensive survey of the Thomas Lee House for documentation and condition assessment purposes. As a result, GNCB created an in-depth report detailing observations and recommendations with photo documentation of existing conditions and CAD drawings depicting existing floor plans. Recommendations included local member reinforcement and replacement of overstressed members, maintenance of moisture, and some foundation stonework. Many of the recommendations made were to preserve the condition of the house and prevent future movement in the structure.

Hurd House Museum (c. 1682) Woodbury, CT

The Hurd House is the oldest house in Litchfield County and of the five oldest in the State of Connecticut. The Hurd House, originally part of a 10-acre property in the Hallow of Woodbury, CT was initially home to John Hurd, the third of his name and the town’s Miller. The structure seen today is the amalgamation of two separate smaller structures. Hurd House initially was constructed as a one-room, two-story timber structure with an end chimney. The exact history of the second structure is unknown, but its addition created the central chimney seen in modern pictures of the structure and completed a two-room plan (c. 1710). At one point in time, a lean-to was added to create a “saltbox” effect but was later removed. The Hurd House is a well-preserved example of rare 17th-century homes in Connecticut.

GNCB initially performed a condition assessment and prepared a report for the Hurd house. This was followed by the preparation of Bid Documents, cost estimation services, and support through bidding and construction phases. The building required local reinforcement throughout the structure and sill repair and replacement. Water intrusion and other natural causes of deterioration lead to the replacement of the east wall, 2nd floor end girt, attic end girt, and re-support of the related summer beam and floor joists.

Hyland House Museum (c. 1692) Guilford, CT

The Hyland House, named for George Hyland- the settler of the land where the house presides, is a well-preserved example of early domestic architecture. Upon his death, George Hyland left his property to his wife Hannah who split the property among her four sons-in-law. This two-story lean-to structure was constructed by Isaac Parmelee upon receiving the land. Later, the structure was home to a master clockmaker, Ebenezer Parmelee, Sr. and his wife Anna. In 1771, Candace, an enslaved woman was indentured to the Parmelee’s and remains at Hyland House until widowed Ann died in 1789. Candace was later married in 1792 and emancipated on January 18, 1793. A Witness Stone was placed in front of Hyland House to honor Candace in 2017. The Hyland House is currently maintained by the Dorothy Whitfield Historic Society.

GNCB performed a Structural Condition Assessment and produced drawings to document the historic structure. GNCB produced a report detailing observations and recommendations. Provided recommendations were assigned priorities to allow phasing of work over a period of time. Hyland house was in reasonably sound condition but required intervention typical of houses of this vintage such as moisture control, local member replacement or reinforcing, and connection stabilization.

National Preservation Month: Connecticut Congregational Churches

Wed, 20 May 2020 16:33:43 GMT

Connecticut

May is National Preservation Month and GNCB is proud to participate by highlighting some of our work with buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Established in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Preservation Month is meant to instill national and community pride, promote heritage tourism, and show the social and economic benefits of historic preservation.

The first article in this series presents some of our most memorable projects with Connecticut Congregational Churches. As stated by Tom Condon in his 2016 article for the CT Mirror “ Historic Congregational churches struggle for survival and revival ”:

Though Connecticut has changed dramatically over the centuries, one part of the landscape of virtually every city and town edures: the Congregational Church on the green or main street. The graceful and handsome “meetinghouses,” many with soring white steeples, may be the state’s most enduring image, both for their beauty and their significance. They were central to the founding and development of the state, eposing values – civic duty, education, local autonomy – that laid the groundwork for today’s society.

While most congregations in Connecticut reach back to the 17th and 18th centuries, many of them are on their second, third, or even fourth building due to various catastrophes. The vernacular framing systems of Congregational Churches are highly celebrated as a character-defining feature but are often unable to meet the requirements of the current Building Code for occupancy and environmental loading. As a result, structural systems are frequently overstressed due to cyclical exposure to heavy wind and snow loads. Additionally, moisture infiltration and insect activity plague Building and Grounds committees desperately trying to maintain their place of worship. GNCB is often retained to perform comprehensive Condition Assessments and to provide Design, Procurement, and Construction Administration services in response to significant structural concerns.

First Congregational Church of West Haven

The First Congregational Church of West Haven (FCCWH) retained GNCB to perform a Condition Assessment and provide Construction Documents for the stabilization of their Sanctuary’s ceiling, attic, and roof following the collapse of a 40 square-foot area of plaster ceiling. GNCB performed a structural analysis of the attic and roof structure to determine areas where reinforcing was required in order to properly support the wood lath and plaster ceiling, including the cross-furring which was in the process of pulling away from the structure. The plaster was consolidated using materials manufactured by Historic Plaster Conservation Services (HPCS) and a new plaster skim coat was installed to improve the aesthetic appearance of the ceiling. GNCB is currently working with the Church on their next project to restore their steeple.

First Church of Christ in Hartford

The First Church of Christ in Hartford was constructed in 1807 and is the Congregation’s fourth Meetinghouse. After a section of the plaster ceiling collapsed, GNCB was retained to assess the existing historic lime plaster system and to prepare Construction Documents for its stabilization. In addition to plaster stabilization which was performed using the acrylic-dispersion adhesive injection method, the project included sanctuary ceiling joist reinforcing with wood strap hangers. The work was successfully completed without altering the ceiling’s visible appearance.

Following the Ceiling Stabilization Project, GNCB was retained along with TLB Architects to assess and restore the almost 250-foot tall steeple. The project required a Design-Build format to allow close documentation of each level of the steeple from scaffolding. GNCB assisted with design local reinforcing for deteriorated timbers and designing new anchorage for fall protection systems.

First Congregational Church of Darien

The Meetinghouse at the First Congregational Church of Darien was closed to services following GNCB’s discovery of major failures in the building’s modified queen-rod trusses which support the ceiling and roof. In addition to the truss failures, GNCB discovered “unzippering” of the modern plaster and metal lath system from the attic structure. Two of the three truss bottom chords were split at the location of posts supporting the roof’s purlins and wind-bent frame. GNCB provided emergency shoring and design services for the complete stabilization and restoration of the Sanctuary ceiling, attic, and roof. The contractor constructed interior scaffolding from which they removed the existing ceiling, reinforced the attic and roof structure using dimensional lumber and clear-spanning structural steel, and installed a new ceiling. The work allowed the Congregation to improve the Sanctuary’s lighting and access to the attic.

First Congregational Church of Barkhamsted

GNCB discovered tension failures in two out of three attic/roof trusses at the First Congregational Church of Barkhamsted while performing a condition assessment. The Church was temporarily closed to services and emergency shoring installed until design and construction of repairs were completed. Multiple attempted retrofits were observed at the attic/roof trusses which consisted of lightly-framed king-post systems suspending a dropped attic beam. To stabilize the structure, GNCB engaged the suspended attic beam to perform as a 48-inch deep built-up beam in conjunction with the truss bottom chord. Reinforcing was also installed at the roof and attic framing to meet modern environmental loading requirements.

South Congregational Church of Middletown

Congregational Churches are typically characterized by their simple decorations as is encouraged by Protestant values. The South Congregational Church of Middletown is an exceptional deviation from the typical with its barrel-vaulted and ribbed ceiling. This ornate ceiling is possible because the attic and roof are framed with scissor trusses – a truss type commonly in need of rehabilitation due to improper restraint against trusting.

GNCB performed a condition assessment of the roof, attic, and ceiling framing for the Church. Our engineers uncovered failures in previous attempted repairs to the trusses which were pushing out the brick masonry walls of the building and cracking the decorative ceiling plaster. Our 3D structural analysis of the ceiling, attic, and roof framing identified overstressed areas of the trusses in order to design efficient repairs.

Construction Progress at St. Mary’s Catholic Parish

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 16:20:58 GMT

New Haven, CT

St. Mary’s Catholic Parish of New Haven (St. Mary’s), dedicated in 1874, is the oldest catholic parish in New Haven, Connecticut and the second oldest in Connecticut. The church is constructed of external unreinforced masonry walls and timber scissor trusses supported by timber posts. These trusses frame the church Nave and support the roof and ceiling structure. The church has two side aisles that are constructed of buttress frames aligned with the Nave trusses and which support the ceiling and roof structure in a similar nature. The decorative ceiling of St. Mary’s is constructed of timber-framed barrel vaults covered in wood lath and plaster.

In response to a significant failure of a decorative plaster corbel in February of 2019, St. Mary’s conducted a condition assessment and decided to undergo a major plaster restoration. During plaster restoration, the need for structural stabilization of the ceiling became evident. GNCB provided structural engineering services to stabilize the timber ceiling structure and associated attic and roof structure. In the 1980s and 90s, local structural reinforcing had been completed at St. Mary’s, however, it was not comprehensive and documentation was incomplete. By not addressing all underlying structural issues, the parish had continuing problems with the decorative plaster.

GNCB determined that the barrel vault ribs that joined and terminated at the corbels did not have adequate vertical support. This caused the decorative plaster corbels to be stressed and fail.

GNCB performed a structural analysis of the roof, attic, and plaster ceiling systems as a 3D analysis to determine how the structure behaved as an integrated system. GNCB produced a design that allowed for new vertical support of the ceiling structure at the base and apex of each barrel vault. New LVL beams between the existing trusses were designed to support the weight of the ceiling with very little deflection. It was important the design not interfere with the recently restored plaster and that the design provided stiffness to the structure to minimize vibration in the ceiling.

General Contractor: Valley Restoration, LLC

Gurleyville Grist Mill – Phase 3 Construction Starts

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 20:53:21 GMT

Storrs, CT

The Gurleyville Grist Mill Structural Stabilization project began with a Condition Assessment of the interior and exterior condition of the 1830 Mill for Joshua’s Trust . The Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places and currently serves as a museum. Numerous past retrofits to the fieldstone masonry walls and historic timber framing systems were present due to continuous shifting in the system attributable to the nearby river and recently constructed vehicular bridge. GNCB assisted the Trust with phasing construction over multiple years to address critical structural concerns with the help of State funding.

Phase 1 construction was completed in 2018 and addressed the most urgent stabilization concerns related to shifting foundations and overstressed first floor framing. The work included installation of new tie rods at the first floor to stabilize the outward-moving stone walls and localized timber framing repairs.

Phase 2 construction was completed in 2019 and included installing new engineered lumber systems in the attic to re-support the brick masonry chimney. The existing chimney is no longer functioning but needed to remain to maintain the building’s exterior asthetics. Work also included reinforcing the roof framing with rough-sawn lumber and stablizing the attic diaphragm.

This spring, Phase 3 will be completed. Phase 3 work will address the remaining stabilization concerns for the attic by re-supporting the original timber beams. The timber beams have suffered from years of grain processing activities and storage.

Future work at the Grist Mill will include an exterior restoration addressing the stone masonry, roofing, and water management.

General Contractor: Kronenberger and Sons Restoration

Construction Starts at Wetmore Marina

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 15:09:46 GMT

Westbrook, CT

GNCB is providing geotechnical and structural engineering services for Wetmore Marina’s new elevated, 2-story, retail building in Westbrook, CT. The project site is located within Flood Zone AE12 thus requiring an elevated floor and open concrete pier structure below. GNCB coordinated the foundation and first-floor platform design with a manufactured timber frame above.

GNCB performed 5 test borings and determined the northwest corner of the new building had approximately 16 feet of man-placed fill and organic soil deposit not suitable for foundations. This material was underlain by sand and dense glacial till. Given these conditions, required loading, and the necessary depth required for soil bearing, 15-ton vertical capacity helical piles were used. These piles bear on glacial till and range from 12 feet in depth to 30 feet.

Helical piles are installed in segments and have one driving shaft with several screw paddle blades. For this project, 7-foot segments were utilized, although piles segments are available in a variety of lengths. When installing helical piles, there is a required torque that relates to the required bearing capacity. In this project, the torque required was in the upper material limits of the pile. As a result, in assuring the required torque was met, some shear failures occurred at the pile tops. This does not affect the pile structural integrity but rather increases the difficulty in connecting piles to concrete.

Architect: Craig A Laliberte Architect

General Contractor: Supreme Industries, Inc.

River Valley Co-op Construction Underway

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 16:57:11 GMT

Greenfield, MA

GNCB Consulting Engineers, P.C. is providing geotechnical and structural engineering services for the new 19,000 sq. ft. River Valley Co-op grocery store in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Design work for the one-story pre-engineered steel-framed structure, with a partial mezzanine level, was completed in 2019 and construction has recently started. The 4-acre parcel was the former location of an auto dealership.

Based on GNCB’s two-phase geotechnical investigation, the firm recommended that building foundations consist of spread footing column and wall footings bearing on the suitable natural inorganic soils. The surface man-placed fill, which was typically less than 3 ft. thick, was considered suitable to support the building concrete ground floor level, but only after in-situ improvement by systematic re-compaction with a heavy vibratory roller. The solar array installer completed foundation design for the elevated support structure; GNCB recommended foundations consist of either spread footings or a drilled concrete pier.

GNCB’s structural engineering group completed foundation plans for the pre-engineered steel building. Additionally, GNCB designed a locally-sourced heavy timber frame canopy structure which will wrap about the south side of the building. The canopy will support additional solar panels.

River Valley Coop is anticipated to open in Fall 2020.

Architect: Thomas Douglas Architects, Inc.

General Contractor: Wright Builders, Inc

GNCB Newsletter Winter/Spring 2020 Edition

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 17:23:46 GMT

Old Saybrook, CT

We are ready to hit the ground running in 2020. Last year ended on a high note and we're looking forward to a second great year at our new office. As we transition from one year to the next, we want to take this issue to highlight a number of projects we're working on in the Religious sector. These projects are exceptionally rewarding and we're proud to have the opportunity to work on the spiritual homes of so many people. We hope you each had a joyous holiday season and wish you the best for the New Year.

Read our Winter/Spring 2020 Newsletter here

SoNo Lodges Complete

Fri, 27 Dec 2019 20:18:23 GMT

South Norwalk, CT

68 South Main Street and 70 South Main Street (SoNo Lodges) in South Norwalk, CT were constructed in the 1930s and were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019 as part of a significant adaptive reuse project. GNCB provided structural engineering and historic preservation services to the project which adapted the two buildings as a mixed use complex for retail, residential, and office use. The project included installation of new structural reinforcing, stabilization and expansion of existing rear additions, and restoration of the masonry facades. Character-defining elements were restored including basement murals and decorative pressed tin ceilings. A new fourth floor loft was constructed in Building 70 to accent the tall third-story windows as a design feature in the apartments. The finished project will add approximately 4,300 SF of retail space, 7,000 SF of business space, and 7,500 SF of residential space to South Norwalk.

Architect: Gill & Gill Architects

Construction Manager: J.A. Rosa

GNCB Summer/Fall 2019 Newsletter

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 16:24:15 GMT

Old Saybrook, CT

GNCB has been a Connecticut-based firm since our founding in 1965. As such, we're proud to currently be involved in a number of projects with the State of Connecticut. This season's newsletter highlights some of these projects as well as shines a light on our growing team. We continue to settle into our new office and we thank all of you who attended our Open House this past spring.

Read our Summer/Fall 2019 Newsletter Here

Mattatuck Museum Expansion under Construction

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 13:08:25 GMT

Waterbury, CT

GNCB is providing structural and geotechnical engineering services for the renovation and expansion of the Mattatuck Museum – a 4-story brick building on Waterbury's Town Green. Master Planning for the project began in 2014 with the intention of further increasing the Museum’s contribution to Waterbury’s redevelopment efforts. Originally constructed in 1912, this project is the Museum’s first renovation in over 30 years – a new addition will replace a 1980’s addition and will serve as an enlarged entrance, flexible lobby space for events and exhibitions, an elevator core, and public roof space.

Mattatuck Museum Virtual Tour

The 6,800 square foot addition consists of structural steel framing with reinforced concrete foundations. Concentric steel x-bracing and a reinforced CMU elevator core provide lateral stability. One of the challenges GNCB addressed in this project was the design of the structural support for a detachable fabric awning above the public roof. The awning will be supported by a small cantilever extending off of one of the steel columns and by the historic brick masonry walls. The brick masonry is being reinforced with steel channel strongbacks. An additional challenge, thermal isolation, is being addressed by using high-density plastic spacers to separate the interior steel structure from a second steel-framed canopy at the roof level.

Architect: Ann Beha Architects

Construction Manager: Downes Construction Company

Eleanor Phetteplace, E.I.T. joins GNCB as Design Engineer

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 17:30:29 GMT

Old Saybrook, CT

GNCB Consulting Engineers, P.C. (GNCB) welcomes Eleanor Phetteplace of Roger Williams University (RWU) as our new Design Engineer. Ms. Phetteplace graduated this May with a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering with a concentration in structures and historic preservation. She completed two internships with GNCB during the course of her undergraduate curriculum and we look forward to welcoming her back to the team.

For her Senior Design Project, Ms. Phetteplace designed a pedestrian bridge across a 4-lane state highway intended to increase pedestrian and cyclist accessibility to RWU’s campus while sensitively addressing the historic district project site. She was the President of RWU’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and served two semesters as the Society of Women Engineers’ (SWE) chapter Vice President.

An avid traveler, Ms. Phetteplace was also an active member of Engineers without Borders (EWB) and traveled to Anconcito, Ecuador to install a water filtration system at the local elementary school. She participated in a study abroad program in Scotland in 2018. RWU recognized Ms. Phetteplace upon her graduation with the President’s Core Value Medallion for taking an active role in leadership and teaching.

CSCE and CT Trust Honor the Lofts at Ponemah Mills

Thu, 23 May 2019 16:04:18 GMT

Taftville, CT

The Lofts at Ponemah Mills recently received the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers’ 2019 Large Project Award of Merit and the Connecticut Historic Trust’s 2019 Preservation Award of Merit.

The Ponemah Mills complex consists of four major unreinforced brick masonry and timber mill buildings. The most prominent building, Building 1, is 750 feet long by 74 feet wide and 5 stories tall. It is connected to the smaller Building 2 which juts out over the Shetucket River. The four-story Building 2 has a 60 feet wide by 20 feet deep headrace which flows through two wide arches. Originally constructed in 1866, the complex had various industrial uses before falling into disrepair. As noted in Connecticut: An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Sites, the site depicts “… the textile economy at the height of its power in eastern Connecticut.” New Jersey Developer One Key, LLC is undertaking the ambitious task of adapting the complex as mixed-income housing.

The $100 million project was initiated in 2006. Phase 1 construction, which stabilized and renovated the south half of Building 1, was completed in 2017 . Phase 2 construction was substantially completed in 2018 with the stabilization of the north half of Building 1. It is anticipated that Phase 2 will be completed and Phase 3, addressing Building 2, will be initiated in 2019. Upon completion of Phase 3 in 2020, the project will provide a total of 314 housing units, approximately 60% affordable and 40% market-rate, to the city. The remaining components of the complex will be converted into retail and commercial space intended to support the new residences.

GNCB encountered numerous structural challenges during the course of the Project, including:

1. Project Phasing due to scale, funding sources, and the 2008 Great Recession;

2. Seismically upgrading the historic unreinforced brick masonry bearing wall and wood diaphragm buildings using x-braced cold-formed metal framing shear walls;

3. Stabilizing the deteriorated 74-foot clear-spanning Queen-Rod roof trusses & assessing and stabilizing the two Monumental Towers at Building 1;

4. Designing a partial mezzanine at the 4th floor of Building 1 to increase useable space and assist in stabilizing the Queen-Rod roof trusses;

5. Assessing submerged structure at the headrace of Building 2 using certified divers;

6. Designing a new concrete beam system to support the upper stories of Building 2 and provide 2-hour fire separation; and

7. Maintaining the historic integrity of a mill complex listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Lofts at Ponemah Mills place emphasis on the reuse of existing infrastructure to redevelop urban areas. This concept is quickly gaining support as more and more advocates at local, state, and federal levels promote the idea of historic preservation as a way to efficiently support the changing needs of communities and to attract and retain young professionals and families.

The project also demonstrates a significant contribution to the well-being of people and communities. At the Phase 2 groundbreaking ceremony, Robert Mills, President of the Norwich Community Development Corporation stated that “this is the most dramatic project in the city… perhaps the most dramatic project in Connecticut.” It has gained the attention and support of eastern Connecticut employers such as Electric Boat and Mohegan Sun, as a location to house employees and students. The Lofts also serve as affordable housing for Connecticut’s senior citizens, one of the largest growing populations in the state.

Developer/Construction Manager: OneKey

Architect: Jose Carballo Architecture

St. John’s Episcopal Church Renovation Nears Completion

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 16:04:02 GMT

Northampton, MA

Renovations at St. John’s Episcopal Church are almost complete. GNCB provided structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, and historic preservation services for this project which included 7,500 SF of interior renovations and construction of a new 5,100 SF rear addition. The work was performed to provide the Church with more suitable administrative, educational, and storage spaces, as well as to improve circulation and ADA accessibility between levels.

GNCB designed localized reinforcement for floor and roof structures of the original c. 1826 granite masonry and timber structure to support new assembly and office loads. The new addition is a seismically-isolated structural steel and reinforced concrete structure with a concrete masonry unit elevator shaft and wood-sheathed shear walls. The addition will house an industrial kitchen to service the Church’s community outreach programs.

Architect: Gillen Collaborative Architects

Construction Manager: D.A. Sullivan & Sons, Inc.

GNCB Winter/Spring 2019 Newsletter – We Moved!

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 19:29:04 GMT

Old Saybrook, CT

The New Year is off to a great start following a major change for our firm – after almost 40 years in the same location, GNCB has moved its office! We’re thankful to still call Old Saybrook home and are looking forward to settling into our new space as we move into another year of challenging projects. Stay tuned for information about our Open House this Spring.

Read our Winter/Spring 2019 Newsletter Here

Read our Summer/Fall 2018 Newsletter Here

Marbridge Retirement Center Under Construction

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 20:30:54 GMT

Cheshire, CT

Construction is underway for the 48,000 SF expansion of the luxury retirement center in Cheshire, CT. In operation since 1957, Marbridge’s need to increase capacity led to the project’s conception in 2016. Construction will proceed in two phases to minimize disruption to current residents. A new addition will be built during Phase I and will house core functions of the facility as well as housing units. Residents will be moved into the addition for Phase II, during which the original 6,600 SF facility will be demolished and replaced with a new structure.

GNCB is providing structural engineering and geotechnical engineering services for this project. The new structure will be a mixture of structural steel framing, steel bar joists, cold-formed steel bearing walls, and prefabricated wood trusses. The lateral system consists of chevron frames located throughout the complex. Concrete foundations will consist of spread and strip footings placed on compacted structural fill.

Architect: Williams Architects

GNCB is Hiring!

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 19:49:43 GMT

Old Saybrook, CT

GNCB is excited to announce that we have two job openings. We are looking for a Design Engineer (0-3 years) and a Geotechnical Project Manager (10-15 years). Visit http://www.gncbengineers.com/contact for more information.

Construction Progresses for CheckWriters’ New Offices

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 19:42:37 GMT

Northampton, MA

Construction is moving forward for the adaptive reuse of the historic Clarke School dormitories into a new office space for CheckWriters Payroll, Inc. The project includes modifications to three 19th-century buildings and the construction of a new, seismically-isolated two-story addition on the foundations of a 1960s addition. The finished complex will be approximately 44,500 SF.

Modifications to the original unreinforced brick and wood-framed structures affected both the gravity and lateral systems of the buildings. Gravity modifications include replacement of corridor bearing walls with steel column and girder lines, and reinforcement of existing wood framing to support new area loads. Large openings at the first floor level are being created to support circulation into the new addition. New steel braced-frames were designed to maintain the buildings’ lateral strength.

The new addition, to be used for the company’s cafeteria and conference spaces, is a steel-framed structure with a moment-frame lateral system. This addition will replace a concrete masonry unit and steel bar joist building. The second floor of the new addition will be polished concrete and will have a large atrium opening. The roof, which has a gambrel design reflecting that of the original buildings, will be accessible to office occupants.

CheckWriters’ new offices are anticipated to open in 2019.

Architect: Thomas Douglas Architects, Inc.

General Contractor: Crocker Building Company, Inc.

GNCB Attends APTi Annual Conference – Points of Departure

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 20:13:08 GMT

Buffalo, New York

Amy Jagaczewski , GNCB Associate, attended this year’s Association for Preservation Technology International (APTi) Conference in Buffalo, NY . This year’s conference, themed Points of Departure, celebrated the organization’s 50 ^th anniversary. The conference was strategically located near the US-Canadian border in honor of the organization’s founding in 1968 by thirteen preservation professionals from the US and Canada. It celebrated Buffalo’s history as the 6 ^th largest port in the world as of 1906 and the 11 ^th largest industrial center in the country as of 1951.

The APTi Conference offered professional development opportunities sorted into four tracks depending on attendees’ backgrounds and interests. Ms. Jagaczewski attended presentations on the impact of climate chaos on future preservation philosophy and on the potential for adaptive reuse of industrial sites to stimulate local economies. Additionally, Ms. Jagaczewski attended a two-day workshop on Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques for wood, masonry, concrete, and steel structures.

Eleanor Phetteplace Completes Second Internship with GNCB

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:16:30 GMT

Old Saybrook, CT

GNCB congratulates Eleanor Phetteplace for completing her second summer internship with GNCB. This summer, Ms. Phetteplace continued to grow her experience and skills in structural and preservation engineering through her work with GNCB. She worked on a variety of projects offering her new experiences in the field. Additionally, Ms. Phetteplace, along with Design Engineer Zoe Laird , participated in a geotechnical workshop with GNCB’s geotechnical engineer David Freed , P.E. this summer.

At the start of the summer, Ms. Phetteplace worked on a plaster ceiling condition assessment at CitySpace , located in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Her work on historic structures also included a house survey of a 1740’s timber-framed cape in Middletown, CT. This experience required the use of documentation, engineering judgment, and technical writing. Ms. Phetteplace was heavily involved in the investigation and formulation of construction documents for the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (The Kate). During fieldwork, she was able to improve her skills in observation and site documentation and extended her experience in preservation knowledge. Her work with The Kate also required material research into historic cast stone.

In addition to site investigation, Ms. Phetteplace was given a more involved role in the construction administration and design elements of projects than the previous summer. This included but was not limited to field reports, photo documentation, and review of submittal shop drawings. Ms. Phetteplace also designed structural members and connections. Projects ranged from new construction projects such as Homewood Suites in Hadley, Massachusetts to rehabilitation and reuse projects such as the renovation for the new CheckWriters Payroll building in Northampton, Massachusetts. Ms. Phetteplace also continued to improve computer design and analysis skills in programs such as Revit, Risa3D, TEDDS, and Forte.

Ms. Phetteplace will return to Roger Williams University (RWU) for her final year of her undergraduate degree. At RWU, she will be starting her senior design project and courses in bridge design, geotechnical engineering, and engineering economics.

Homewood Suites Construction Progresses

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 14:03:32 GMT

Hadley, MA

GNCB is providing structural engineering and geotechnical engineering services for Homewood Suites, an 80,000 SF Design-Build project with Western Builders and Thomas Douglas Architects . The new building is a three-story, wood-framed structure constructed with panelized wood systems. Prefabricated elements include the multi-story shear and bearing walls, and the open-web wood floor and roof trusses. Steel framing is used intermittently throughout to allow wide spans for lobby and recreational areas

In addition to the structural design, GNCB conducted a complete geotechnical program including site investigations and evaluation of suitable foundation types. The geotechnical program revealed the presence of man-placed fill underlain by a thin layer of alluvium and a thick layer of varved silt and clay. Soil improvements were required to support the new structure which is supported on spread footings with a concrete slab-on-grade.

Currently, the structure is complete on the south side of the site and is close to completion at the north side. Project completion is anticipated Winter 2018.

Eleanor Phetteplace Returns to GNCB for Second Internship

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 19:55:30 GMT

Old Saybrook, CT

GNCB is excited to welcome back Eleanor Phetteplace of Roger Williams University (RWU) for her second summer internship. Ms. Phetteplace completed her first internship with us last summer. Over the past semester, Ms. Phetteplace had the opportunity to study abroad in Scotland’s capital city at the University of Edinburgh. While abroad, she was enrolled in five courses and also joined one of the University’s choirs. When able, Ms. Phetteplace traveled to and explored several European countries including Scotland, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, England, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

Ms. Phetteplace was enrolled in the following courses at the University of Edinburgh: Conceptual Design and Sustainability for Civil Engineers, Engineering Geology and Surveying, Culture and Performance in the History of Construction, Environmental Engineering, and Water Resources. All of these courses granted Ms. Phetteplace a new perspective and learning environment at a university much different from her own. The objective of her Conceptual Design and Sustainability for Civil Engineers (CDS) course was to create a better understanding of the components of design solutions. Through the use of five projects over the duration of the course, CDS focused on improving the understanding of the role of design-drivers such as cost, end-of-life decommissioning, social impact, feasibility, and environmental impact and streamline project analytics. Some of the projects included the design of a timber parking garage in central Edinburgh, a tourism cable car over a scenic but active river opening, and a water tower. Ms. Phetteplace feels this course will aid her in her work at GNCB.

During her time abroad, Ms. Phetteplace was able to observe applications of what she has learned from previous studies and prior experiences with GNCB. Cathedrals were her favorite sites to visit and she looks forward to beginning a project with GNCB at the Apostolic Cathedral of Hope in New London, CT. She also enjoyed seeing local architectural styles, municipal buildings, and monuments with much longer histories than she has had the opportunity to work with in the United States. Ms. Phetteplace hopes her time abroad will give her a greater perspective on her future work in the field of preservation engineering.

Fort Devens gets New Range Control Building

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Mon, 14 May 2018 20:59:30 GMT

Devens, MA

For the past 10 years, GNCB has provided full-scope geotechnical engineering services for the Louisville, KY Division of the Army Corps of Engineers and its architect RSP Architects of Minneapolis, MN. The projects, located in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, have ranged from full-scale 30-acre parcels for a new Army Reserve Center (ARC), to building additions at various military locations.

GNCB’s geotechnical work for the new Range Control building at Fort Devens included preparation of an RFP for final building design and construction. The RFP allowed the Army Corps to solicit bids and construction of the project by a design-build team. GNCB undertook a program of test borings and laboratory soil testing to characterize the site subsurface conditions; the results of this work were summarized in a Subsurface Data Report that will be provided to competing design-build teams. GNCB prepared a separate design memorandum for the RSP architectural team, to enable their preparation of appropriate preliminary contract drawings for bidding.

At the Fort Devens site, subsurface conditions consisted of a deep deposit of granular outwash soil with groundwater over 20 ft. deep. The new building will be supported by a shallow spread footing foundation system and a concrete slab-on-grade ground floor.

Watch Hill Yacht Club Enters Summer Season One Year After Elevation

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Mon, 14 May 2018 20:53:02 GMT

Westerly, RI

The Watch Hill Yacht Club is about to enter it’s busiest season one year after its elevation. The Club is a three-story club-house with a restaurant on the upper floor and is supported over the water on steel beams and timber piles. In 2006, the building was renovated with an almost complete rebuild of the upper attic level. Due to increased use of the clubhouse, a third floor was slated to be added to the structure in 2012. Structural evaluation of the building and economics of construction dictated that the new floor be added at the existing deck level, while preserving the recently completed building renovation. A test boring program, which revealed the presence of approximately 30 feet of soft fill and organic soils underlain by granular soils, confirmed that the existing timber pile foundations were not adequate to support the additional loads, and also satisfy current high hazard code requirements for flooding and hurricane forces. End-bearing steel H-pile foundations and a new steel-framed floor were designed to support the new three-story structure.

Architect: Burgin Lambert Architects

Contractor: A/Z Corporation

Read more about this project in the news: The Day & The Westerly Sun

Climate Change and Historic Preservation – SoundWaters’ Holly House

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 13:03:59 GMT

Stamford, CT

GNCB recently attended the Urban Forum on Climate Change and Historic Preservation – a joint event with APTNE , the Boston Preservation Alliance, and the Boston Society of Architects. The forum is the first in a series addressing the need to start a conversation among Preservation Professionals on the pending risks to our heritage structures due to sea-level rise and changes in general weather conditions.

GNCB increasily encounters these concerns in our practice. Located along the shoreline of CT, we have a large client base of homeowners that are in the process of elevating their homes due to changes in FEMA regulations following Hurricanes Sandy and Irene. Additionally, we work with architects and owners of historic properties which must balance their building’s Historic Register designation with the impending dangers of Climate Change. An example of this type of project is the SoundWaters Flood Mitigation Feasibility Study.

The Holly House, now the home of SoundWaters, Inc. , was constructed in the early 19th century and expanded in multiple stages. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also located within a Special Flood Hazard Area VE14 flood plain zone. SoundWaters retained GNCB to conduct the Feasibility Study in 2017. GNCB served as the prime design professional for this project and managed a sub-consultant team with experience in coastal projects and historic preservation.

The Study addressed multiple components including an analysis of the site’s current conditions within a VE14 flood plain zone, the feasibility of elevating the existing building 6 feet, and alternatives to elevating the building including active and passive flood protection measures. GNCB provided SoundWaters with a report including a schematic design for elevating the building, architectural renderings for fundraising purposes, and a complete cost estimate. SoundWaters, Inc. is currently raising funds to move this project into its next phase.

A second example of a preservation project which needed to account for climate change is the Adaptive Reuse of Holdredge Garage in Westerly, RI. This project stabilized and restored a prominent c.1885 timber-framed complex at the entrance of the Watch Hill Historic District. It was the winner of the Sustainability Award of Merit in the 2017 ACE Awards.

Sub-Consultants for the SoundWaters Flood Mitigation Feasibility Study:

Thomas Douglas Architects

Landmark Facilities Group

Payne Construction Services

Accurate Construction Estimates

Heritage Landscapes

GNCB Reflects: The Wauregan Hotel Celebrates 15 Years since Its Comprehensive Adaptive Reuse

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 13:51:08 GMT

Norwich, CT

The Wauregan Hotel (c.1855) in Norwich, CT was restored and adapted approximately fifteen years ago as affordable housing and retail. At the time of the hotel’s construction at the height of Norwich’s booming mill industry, the Wauregan was noted by Boston newspapers to be “the finest Hotel in New England”. President Lincoln stayed here in 1860 on his campaign tour through Connecticut.

GNCB was retained in 2000 to evaluate the severely deteriorated building in an attempt to save the Norwich landmark from demolition. The Wauregan had lain vacant since 1990 and was almost condemned. Remote viewing tools were used by GNCB and the design team to assess the building from the exterior due to its condition. Thanks to a mixture of federal, state, and local funding sources, the Wauregan restoration commenced in 2005.

The Wauregan consists of unreinforced masonry and heavy timber, similar to many of Norwich’s historic mills. The windows and first-level store fronts are decorated with cast iron fixtures which were restored during construction. The structure also includes sloping timber joists full mortar setting beds to accommodate early indoor baths.

Floors were leveled and strengthened by inserting engineered wood members. Also, a full seismic upgrade was completed on the 1850s brick bearing walls. The exterior brick masonry walls contained narrow fireboxes and stove flues which were grouted solid. The existing lateral system was supplemented with reinforced concrete masonry unit walls and over 1500 new diaphragm-to-shear wall ties were installed.

A concrete moment-resisting frame was designed and installed behind the street-level facade allowing the original cast iron and glass to remain in place for the store front retail rental spaces.

Special construction shoring was designed to allow environmental abatement while providing safe working floors for the selective demolition and abatement crews.

Project Size: 70,000 Square Feet

Cost of Construction at Completion: $14 million

Awards and Honors: ABC 2006 Excellence in Construction Award for Historic Restoration, CT Trust for Historic Preservation’s Harlan Griswold Award, CEDAS – EDDY Award for Economic Development in a Community, 2008 ACEC Engineering Excellence Award, 2008 CSCE Structural ACE Award, 2009 ACEC/CT Engineering Excellence Award

Architect: Becker & Becker

Contractor: Viking Construction, Inc.

First Church of Christ in Woodbridge, CT Stabilization Complete

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 14:59:49 GMT

Woodbridge, CT

Construction at the First Church of Christ (c.1832) was completed this month to stabilize the roof, attic, and first floor structures. GNCB completed a Condition Assessment of the Church in the summer of 2016 and discovered numerous items requiring structural intervention. We were retained to complete Construction Documents - including drawings and a project manual, to assist the Church with procuring a qualified restoration contractor, and to monitor construction.

Stabilization of the timber roof and attic structure included reinforcing the roof/attic trusses and the secondary roof framing, as well as re-supporting and stiffening the attic floor joists. Elements of the roof/attic framing had previously been reinforced but movement in the framing was still active and a fresh failure in the bottom chord of a timber truss was observed during GNCB’s condition assessment.

To mitigate the effect of deep tenons in the truss bottom chords, GNCB designed steel splice plates to span the existing tension failure and the potential failure zones in the remaining trusses. Supplementary framing was added to stiffen the attic floor which supports a decorative painted lath and plaster ceiling, recently stabilized by John Canning & Co, Ltd. The use of the Church’s attic space for cellular equipment created additional challenges for this job.

Work at the first floor consisted of adding new steel beams at the mid-span of the floor joists to greatly reduce the flexibility of the Church’s sanctuary framing and bring the floor up to modern live load capacity.

Contractor for Structural Work: Kronenberger and Sons Restoration, Inc.

GNCB provides similar services for many other Connecticut Congregational Churches. Darien Congregational Church retained GNCB for a comparable project in 2016.

GNCB Attends Construction Institute’s 2018 Women Who Build Summit

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 16:50:34 GMT

East Hartford, CT

Amy Jagaczewski, GNCB Structural Associate, and Zoe Laird, GNCB Design Engineer attended the 3rd annual Construction Institute’s Women Who Build Summit in East Hartford this February. The summit was broken into four panels and two keynote speakers. The panels discussed topics such as leadership, how to increase effectiveness during negotiations, innovation, and giving back to the community. The keynote speakers were Melody Currey, Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services in Connecticut, and Dr. Anamaria Popescu, Director of Berkeley Research Group’s Latin America Construction Practice in Denver, CO, both discussed how they arrived at their current place in life and the struggles that they overcame along the way.

Design Moves Ahead for Easthampton CitySpace

websitebuilder@thryv.com — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 18:30:35 GMT

Easthampton, MA

Design is moving forward on the complete renovation of Easthampton CitySpace which currently occupies the Old Easthampton Town Hall (1869). The Old Town Hall was designed by architect Charles Parker and consists of brick, Portland brownstone, and Nova Scotia stone masonry bearing walls with timber-framed floor and roof. The renovation will include improvements to the interior spaces as well as the construction of a new lobby and elevator addition. Future phases will also include a complete restoration of the prominent front façade.

Architect: Kuhn Riddle Architects